Th...]]> In the heart of Prague lies a rich legacy of puppetry, deeply woven into Czech culture and history. From their arrival in the 17th century through the era of national revival to the present day, marionettes have not only entertained but also reflected and shaped Czech national identity.

Introduction to Prague’s Puppet Theatres

One very popular form of entertainment in Prague are its puppet theatres, and you’ll find puppets for sale in many of the souvenir shops in the tourist areas, but what isn’t always obvious is just how rooted in the history of the Czech Lands this sort of show is.

Arrival of Marionettes in Bohemia and the Evolution of Puppetry

Marionettes first came to Bohemia in the late 1600s, brought in by performers from across Europe, notably France, Italy and the Netherlands, but by the 1700s, the Czechs had established their own companies.

At first these puppets were almost lifesized, and were used as a cheaper alternative to paying real actors rather than having any real significance in themselves. Some shows used only puppets whilst others had a combination of live actors and marionettes, depending on what they could afford.

Eventually though, as the puppet makers developed their skills and wanted to experiment, they began to make more stylised puppets, using the form and appearance of the puppet to portray or emphasise certain attributes of the character. In some cases the puppets ended up with tiny bodies but huge heads and hands, as these were thought to be the most expressive part of the puppet and so needed to be seen.

… puppets are ‘living people,’ but they half believe it themselves. One begins to understand the tales told about old Czech folk puppeteers.

Pyotr Bogatyrev and Michele Minnick

Puppetry as a Cultural and Nationalistic Symbol

These first puppet shows were usually based on classical texts, or Czech history, but were popular in the rural areas of the country in particular because no other form of theatre was allowed in the villages.

Also, from the early 17^th century onwards, Czech had been outlawed as a national language in favour of German, which meant all the official theatres in the cities performed their plays in German, whereas the puppet shows, usually run by families, performed in Czech.

Later, towards the end of the 18^th century and into the 19^th, as Czech nationalism started to gather strength and many people felt that German should no longer be the national language, and that things like theatre should be made available to everyone, in the Czech Language, there was a surge in interest in the puppet shows who had always performed this way. The puppeteers were considered cultural icons and an integral part of Czech heritage.

Previously the puppet shows had been designed only for adults, but now plays were specially written for children to introduce them to this part of their culture, and small ‘family theatres’, often with scenery designed by leading Czech artists, appeared throughout the country. For the first time, puppets were produced on a larger scale and could be purchased by parents who wanted to perform the stories themselves for their children.

Golden Era of Czech Puppetry and International Recognition

After the First Republic was established in 1918, the puppet industry soared in then Czechoslovakia, with over 2,000 companies existing by the 1920s. Many of these were composed of professional artists and directors and were of very high quality. The puppeteers were still taken very seriously and considered icons of Czech culture, an important part of the artistic character of the nation.

Spejbl: „Explain me, Hurvínek, why do you and Mánička always have the same mistakes in dictation? “
Hurvínek: „Because we have got the same teacher, daddy! “

Theatre of Spejbl and Hurvínek

One of the most influential names of this period was Josef Skupa, founder of the Spejbl and Hurvinek Theatre in Prague, which went on to become one of the most famous Czech puppet theatres. For the first time, an international puppetry organisation, UNIMA, was established at a meeting in Prague, with its headquarters in France.

Puppetry During Wartime and Communist Era

The second world war brought some disruption to the puppet theatres but a few continued to perform, and for the first time were involved in satire, being used to criticise the Nazi regime, until the owner of that particular company was arrested and sent to a concentration camp.

However, after the war, the development of Czech puppet theatres experienced another upsurge in popularity and development. For the first time, puppet theatre was taught in the Academy of Performing Arts, and UNIMA was re-established and given a new lease of life.

Throughout the Communist era, puppet theatres were one of the few forms of entertainment that didn’t tend to attract the attention of the censors, and so the puppet masters were able to perform shows that criticised the regime, and in many cases were considered revolutionaries and heroes.

During the 1960s the puppet theatres expanded their repertoire again, bringing live actors back to the stage to perform with the puppets in some cases, inventing new shows and finding increasingly imaginative ways to use the puppets in storytelling.

Modern Puppetry in Prague

Today you’ll find various performances running in Prague, perhaps the most famous being the National Marionette Theatre in the Old Town, which famously performs Mozart’s Don Giovanni using puppets (Don Giovanni also has a strong connection with Prague, having had its world premiere here in 1787).

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The post Prague, in all of her grandeur and history, is still an amazingly approachable and enjoyable city for kids. There are innumerable outdoor playgrounds and parks for children, many kid-friendly restaurants, and several museums geared toward children.

Welcoming Prague: A Paradise for Kids and Families

Outdoor Family Fun: Exploring Prague’s Playgrounds and Zoos

Among the best ways to get out your kids’ energy and let them have the most fun are the outdoor activities for families in Prague! The Prague Zoo is world acclaimed. It was listed as the 7th best zoo in the world in Forbes Travel Magazine 2007 and still lives up to this expectation, even post-2002 flood damage.

The zoo sprawls over a large area beside the Vltava river. From the expositions on the hilltop, you have a lovely panoramic view of the city. The top part also offers an outdoor eating area with adjoining playground. You can even purchase mini American-style donuts and coffee from one of the stands.

From Majestic Views to Exotic Wildlife: Exploring Prague Zoo’s Treasures

With nearly 5,000 animals from all over the world, the Prague Zoo gives you plenty to see and learn about – lions, tigers, and bears (the Polar bears are always a favorite). Birds like penguins and flamingos have their own areas, but many jungle varieties flit around in differing enclosures where you can walk among them. This year a new India culture and religion themed Elephant Exhibit opened with numerous beautiful elephants, miniature temples, and a good luck pool.

Perhaps, though, the most special element in the Prague Zoo is the jewel animal, Przewalski’s Horse. An endangered species, the Przewalski’s horse originates in Mongolia and the grandson of the last caught in the wild Przewalski is now a stud in the Prague Zoo as part of the ongoing project to reintroduce these short, strong horses back into the wild.

Nature’s Delight: Botanical Gardens and Dinopark Adventures

The Botanical Gardens of Prague are equally beautiful and have a unique arrangement of plants. Even though they weren’t established until 1968, from that time 4 gardens within the grounds have been cultured and developed, making for a lovely stroll. Admission fees range from 50-120 CZK/adult and 25-60 CZK child over 5yrs. Opening hours for both the Fata Morgana (Tuesday – Sunday) and Open air Expositions (daily) are basically 9 – 16 with extended hours in warmer seasons.

Discovering Dinopark: Prehistoric Fun for Kids in Prague

Prague’s Dinopark is located right off of the metro station Vysocanska on the top level (the roof really) of a shopping center for easy access. With moving dinosaurs to see and touch, a “time-travel tunnel” and a dig site where kids can imagine themselves as archeologists, this makes for a fun couple of hours.

Adventures on Petrin Hill: Towers, Mazes, and Gardens

On Petrin hill, there is the “little Eiffel tower” for climbing and a mirror labyrinth for getting “lost”. At the center of the maze you will find a large picture of a famous battle during the 30 Years’ War – the Bohemians against the Swedes on Charles Bridge.

In the monastery area, you can walk through beautiful, sweet-smelling rose gardens and visit the nearby planetarium. While it keeps unusual opening hours, it is possible to go inside and view the skies with your own eyes.

Of course, with the wonderful Vltava running through town, there are also multiple boat rentals and big boat rides for your little sailors to explore the river. The docks are located right on the riverbanks which divide Old Town and Lesser Town.

And, just off of the Charles Bridge there is a very nice playground on Kampa Island where your kids can see and smell the river while they climb and slide. The playground is visible off the right side of the Charles bridge when facing Lesser Town. To get there, walk down the stairs on the Charles Bridge and then pass beneath it. The playground is ahead and to the right.

Rainy Day Fun: Kid-Friendly Museums and Indoor Attractions in Prague

Don’t let the rainy autumns or snowy winters deter you from enjoying the city with your young ones. There are plenty of museums aimed to please children – and their parents! There is the Ghosts and Legends Museum full of fascinating stories from Prague’s magical past. The amazing and huge Kingdom of railroads is the largest miniature train set in the Czech Republic and is working its way to being one of Europe’s grandest model trains.

It is a few minutes’ walk from Andel metro station. For your engineers in training, there is the Lego Museum with hands on expositions and a building room for kids to put their imaginations into action. This private collection is the world largest exhibit of Lego models, making it impressive even for parents who have seen every imaginable creation their kids have designed.

Cultural Encounters for Kids: Marionettes and Theatres

Kids have a whole world of culture open to them in Prague. This city is world renown for her marionette puppets. While Don Giovanni is classic, it may be a too dark or too long for small children. But, at Divadlo Minor they have marionette puppet performances for kids during the day and early evening.

Other famous Czech marionettes, a father/son pair named Spejbl and Hurvinek, are classic child entertainment. They are located in their home Spejbl and Hurvinek Theatre in Prague 6 – Dejvice. Their performances in English are limited, so check their online schedule ahead of time. Plus, there are the black light theatre performances to enchant the whole family. They blend glowing moving, morphing neon lights with fascinating stories to create an unbelievable fantasy world that the whole family will enjoy.

Family Dining in Prague: Kid-Friendly Restaurants and Cafes

Of course, families have to eat and, luckily, Prague has so many restaurants and cafes that are kid-friendly! Look for little signs in the windows that have a red line through a cigarette for a smoke-free zone. Many places also post on their doors “Detsky koutek” or “Kids’ Corner” where they have kid-sized table and chairs, toys, books, or some coloring materials.

Now that you know where to go and what to look for to find the kid-friendly places, go out and explore with your kids. Prague is looking forward to meeting the whole family!

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